India pacer Shikha Pandey has played 55 ODIs and 62 T20Is from 2014 to 2021. Since early last year, she finds it difficult to get selected in the team. She missed out on the ODI World Cup in February-March last year. Early this year, the right-arm pacer missed the T20 World Cup in South Africa. Apart from this, the Telangana player was not considered to be given the central contract from the Indian Cricket Board.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals player in the Women’s T20 League had a conversation with former India head coach, WV Raman. The former said that she has felt frustrated and has been doing everything to make a comeback in the team at the age of 34.
“If I say I’m not frustrated and angry, then I’m not a human being,” said the 34-year-old. “It’s difficult when you don’t get the results for the work that you have put in.”
“I’m sure there’s some reason behind it which I do not know. What’s in my hands is hard work, and I’m a stout believer in hard work. So it’s just about working hard until I am mentally and physically fit.”
?? Shikha Pandey gets teary-eyed talking about the disappointment of not finding a place in the Indian team.
Watch the full interview with @wvraman here ?? https://t.co/9H20WnkoZG#WednesdaysWithWV | #WomensCricket pic.twitter.com/d5tJmro6SC
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) July 6, 2023
I thought about walking away from cricket: Shikha Pandey
Pandey added that she was considering retirement after being left out. She also mentioned how the former India coach, Raman told her that she has some cricket still left.
“When I was dropped, I thought walking away from cricket was the right thing to do. Then it was suggested that it was an emotional period and I needed to give myself more time.”
“You thought I still had a lot of cricket left in me, and I should play until the time I enjoy the sport. I’m disappointed right now, but the situation I’m put in is out of my control, the decisions I take to get out of it are completely in my hands.”
